LeBron Still In Pursuit of Michael Jordan

By ESPN

You would think that helping his hometown end a 52-year title drought would allow LeBron James to take his foot off the gas. But he can't because he's still in pursuit ... of Michael Jordan.

"My motivation is this ghost I'm chasing," James said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. "The ghost played in Chicago."

James, who grew up in the Greater Cleveland area, this season led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first championship, overcoming a 3-1 Finals deficit in the process. He picked up his third title after winning two with the Miami Heat. The four-time MVP is one of the best ever, but Jordan is considered by many to be the best.

"My career is totally different than Michael Jordan's," James said, according to Sports Illustrated. "What I've gone through is totally different than what he went through. What he did was unbelievable, and I watched it unfold. I looked up to him so much. I think it's cool to put myself in position to be one of those great players, but if I can ever put myself in position to be the greatest player, that would be something extraordinary."

USA Team Leaves for Rio

After dominating five opponents for an average margin of victory of 43 points, the USA men's basketball team left for Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday night as the No. 1-ranked team in the world and remained set on winning another gold medal.

"They are in a good position, and just to get to know one another, I think it's helped us," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Monday's final exhibition game, a convincing 110-66 victory over Team Nigeria. "People [ask] what challenges you live by when you win by 40 or 30 points. [I'd] rather have those questions than you eked it out by eight. Hopefully, we can keep that going. The competition is going to get better, really good."

Krzyzewski canceled Tuesday's scheduled practice to allow the players to work on individual drills at the Houston Rockets' practice facility. There was also a weight-lifting session for players who wanted it.

The only concerns are two minor injuries to point guard Kyrie Irving (quad) and forward Paul George (calf), who didn't play in Monday's game but are expected to be ready for Rio.